Gusset type bag



Feb. 12, 1957 F3. E. ADAMS GUSSET TYPE BAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1.954

\Illllldl! l FIG I m m m m RICHARD E.ADAMS ATTORNEY Feb. 12, 195? R. E. ADAMS GUSSET TYPE BAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1954 FIG 3 INVENTOR.

RICHARD E. ADAMS BYWM ATTORNEY United States fiatent GUSSET TYPE BAG Richard E. Adams, Hightstown, N. J.

Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,153

6 Claims. (Cl. 229-54) This invention relates to bags formed of paper or the like and is directed particularly to gusset type bags Wherein there are front and rear panels connected by side members which are centrally creased and project inward between the frontand rear panels when the bag is closed.

Gusset type bags are frequently used in packaging and shipping produce such as potatoes, apples and the like, although they have many other uses. Such bags are frequently stitched across the top or the front and rear panels may be stapled together at the top of the bag to hold it closed and prevent spilling of the contents. However, stitched or stapled bags cannot be reclosed readily or effectively after they have once been opened. It is also desirable to provide such bags with a handle opening to enable the bags to be carried about and handled easily. When such a handle opening is provided the portion of the front and rear panels which are cut to form the opening frequently constitute retaining flaps which serve to hold the front and rear panels of the bag together to afford a retaining mean which can be moved to permit opening of the bag for inspection while allowing the bag to be reclosed. On the other hand, when such a handle opening is provided, the gussets at the side of the bag are not held securely in place between the front and rear panels with the result that the gussets may open under load or when the bag is handled roughly, permitting the contents to spill or causing tearing of the bag.

In accordance with the present invention, these objections to prior gusset type bags are overcome and means are provided which afford a handle opening While serving to prevent displacement of the gusset whereby the top of the bag is held firmly closed even though the bag is subjected to severe usage. This result is preferably attained by forming a handle opening near the top of the bag and further providing means on the gussets which may extend through the handle-opening to prevent undesired lateral displacement or opening of the gussets even when the bag is closed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel gusset type bag having means for preventing displacement of the gussets when the bag is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide gusset type bags having a novel type or" construction adjacent the top thereof.

A specific object of the invention is to provide gusset bags with a handle opening and retaining means which are connected to the gussets and serve to prevent displacement of the gussets when the bag is closed.

These and other objects and. features of the present invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is iade to the figures of the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective showing a portion of a typical form of gusset type bag embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 isa perspective showing the construction of Fig. 1 with the top of the bag expanded before closing;

Fig. 3 is a perspective illustrating the position of certain elements of the construction shown in Fig. 1 when in partially closed position; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective illustrating an alternative form of the present invention.

In that form of the invention chosen for purposes of illustration in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the bag is provided with a front panel 2 and a rear panel 4 connected at their edges to the side members or gussets 6 and 8 which consist of centrally creased inwardly extending portions of the material of which the bag is formed. The upper portion of the front and rear panels are preferably reinforced with cardboard or other stiffening material as indicated at 10. Further, if desired, the inner edge portions 12 of the gussets 6 and 8 may be provided with a strip of reinforcing material 14 extending lengthwise of the crease in the upper portion of the bag.

The bag is provided with a handle opening 16 in the upper portion thereof which is formed as indicated in Fig. 2 by a cut 18 which defines the top and ends of the handle opening 16, and at the same time, defines the arcuate edge of the retaining flaps 20. In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the front and rear of the bag are further provided with relatively small openings 22 which are formed in the front and rear panels of the bag in a position to be located adjacent the lower edge of the downwardly turned retaining flaps 26. A wire or tie device 24 may be applied so as to extend through the handle opening 16 and the smaller openings 22 with the ends tied or twisted as shown in Fig. 1 to hold the retaining flaps 2t) in'their downwardly closed bag retaining position.

T he construction so far described is essentially the same as that of my copending application Serial No. 348,427 filed April 13, 1953. However, in accordance with the present'invention, the handle opening 16 is of such width that it extends beyond the inner edges 12 of the gussets 6 and 8. The cut 18 defining the handle opening is preferably formed in the bag or bag forming material while the gussets are in their creased and inturned positions whereby the formation of the cuts 13 further serves to form the arcuate cuts 24 which extend inwardly and downwardly in the creased edges 12 of the gussets. In this way arcuate tabs 26 are formed which lie between the retaining flaps 20 formed in the front and rear panels 2 and 4. The tabs are located adjacent the opposite ends of the: retaining flaps and upon downward folding of the retaining flaps, the tabs 26 are folded over and downward between the retaining flaps and are positively gripped and held in position so that the gussets are secured in place and cannot move outward to expand and open the mouth of the bag. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, the portions of the front and rear panels of the bag which constitute the ends of the retaining fiaps 20 lie onopposite sides of the arcuate tab 26 and the tab as well as the retaining flaps are folded over when the retaining flaps are bent downward to bag closing position, Thislateral displacement of the tab 26 sideways through the handle opening afiords a positive retaining and locking means which precludes outward movement of the creased inner edge 12 of the gusset. The gusset cannot pull sideways from between the front and rear panels without actually tearing out the tab. Moreover, the outward strains tending to cause the bag to open are normally exerted from the interior of the bag by the produce therein which, in

turn, serves to prevent downward tearing of the tab with the result that no actual tearing has been found to take place even though the bags are inverted and vigorously shaken. Nevertheless, the creased portions of the gussets along the inner edges 12 may be reinforced as indicated at 14 if desired. Further, if such reinforcing means are about the ;upper edge of the bag. However, as shown, the retaining flaps 39 are secured in place by means of a staple 34. 'The construction of Fi .4, likeithat ofIFigs:

1, 2 and 3 embodies a handle opening which extends beyond the inwardly folded edges of .thesgussets 36. in this way the arcuate locking tabst38 are provided and are foldedjsideways with the retaining flaps 32 whereby outward displacement of the gussets is positively. prevented. ;In.each of the forms of. the invention. shown, the front and rear panels ofthe bag arefheld in gripping engagement with the gussets whereas the gussets themselvesjare formed with locking tabswhich are bent sideways so that thegussets are positively-held in closed positionand are secured against'displacement. Ba s of this character,

therefore,'can bessubjected to severe usage and abuse without danger of displacement of the gissets or loss of thelarticles-from the bag. Furthermore, the gripping of the Y gussets prevents accidental or undesired opening whereby tearing or mutilation of the bag about the handle opening is'prevented.

Those forms of the invention which have been chosen for :purposes 'of illustration are cited-as typical of the manyand'various constructidns and arrangements which may be employed in thepractice of the present invention. However, numerous other and alternative constructions and modifications of the invention may be made. In view l en uth igus et r an re ining p a a ried. by ai front and rear panels and movable through said handle openings with said locking tabs therebetween to hold the panels and gussets in bag closing position.

3. A bag having front and rear panels connected at their opposite edges by side members which are centrally creased and extend inwardly between said panels as gussets when the bag is closed, the upper portions of the front and rear panelsof the bag. having registering handle openings therein, said handle .openngs extending beyond the creased edges of said gussets and said gussets having cuts formed therein providing locking t-absmovable through said openings to prevent lateral displacement of the gussets, and'retaining' flaps carried bysaid front and rear panels and movable through said. handle openings with said locking tabs therebetween to hold the panels and gussets in bag closing position, and means for holding said retainingfiaps in bag closing, position.

4; A bag made of paper andhavingfrontqand rear:

panels connected at theiropposite edges to side members which are creased centrally so as to fold inward between the panels in the form ofgussets when the bag is closed,

the upper portion of the front and rear panels being re-fl inforced and stiffened, the panels having cuts formed in the stiffened portions thereof defining 'registeringhandle openings which extend at t' opposite endsbeyond the inner edges of the gussets en the-bag is closed,1the portions of said panels outlined by said cuts constituting retaining flaps and being. foldable together throughthe handle openings to positions in which theyare. parallel to the outer'face of one panel, the portions of said gussets which are positioned between said' retaining -fiaps being. formed with cuts registering with the cuts in the 7 front and. rear panels and .defining'locking tabs which are foldable' with said retaining flaps through saidhandle opening and into position to prevent lateral displace- :thereof, it should be understood that the particular ernbodiments of the invention shown .in' the drawing and described aboveare intended to -be-illust rative onlyand 40 are not intended to limit the'scope of the invention;

1 claim: V i V l. Abag having front and rear panels connected-at their opposite edges by side members which are centrally creased and extend inwardly between said panels as gnssets when the bag is closed, the upper portions of the front and rear panels of the bag having registering handle openingsjthe'rein, said handle openings extending beyond the creased edges of said gussets and said gussets having. cuts formed therein providing locking tabsmovable through said openings to prevent lateral displacement of the gussets. V a V e I .ZA bag having front and rear panels connected at ment of the gussets' when the retaining flaps are in 'said folded position. a i

,5. A'paper bag of the character defined in claim 4 wherein the creased edges of the gussets are reinforced in the areaithereof which defines the locking tabs.

' 6; A paper bag of the character defined in clairn 4' wherein the retaining flaps are foldable downward below the handle opening and; the front and rearpanels have registering openings therein positioned adjacent the downwardly folded retaining flaps, and a fastening stripextending through the latter openings and the-handle opentheir opposite .edgesiby side members which are centrally creased and extend inwardly between said panels as Igussetsfwhen' the bag is closed, the upper portions of the front :and.frear panels of the bag having registering handle openings therein, said handle openings extending :beyond'the creased edges of said gussets andsaid gussets havingIcuts formed therein providing locking tabs mov-' s. able through said openings to prevent lateral displaceings and serving to hold the retaining fiapsandlocking tabs-in said folded, position. 7 a

References Cited in the tile of this patent 'UNITEDSTATES PATENTS .561649' Lanzit Sept.,15,j19 6 2,433,867 Ringler Jan. ,6, 194s 2,463,302 Orchard. -Mar. 1,;1949

' FOREIGN'PATENTS V i p 455,944 GreatBritain 'Oct. 30, 1936 

